THE magnificent 650-year-old Norton Priory statue of St Christopher is be recreated in all its original glory using state-of-theart 3D technology.

Standing at more than three metres tall and weighing around 1.25 tonnes, the twice life sized statue of St Christopher is the largest medieval stone figure in Britain.

The statue captures the image of St Christopher carrying the infant Christ across the waters and was carved from Cheshire sandstone.

Supported by the National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA), the St Christopher's Coat project will use interactive technology to bring this nationally important treasure to a wider audience.

The statue is one of the few medieval artworks to have survived the Reformation and featured in Tate Britain's 2002 Image and Idol exhibition.

The statue is now displayed in a specially-built gallery at Norton Priory Museum, on the site of a 12th Century Augustinian monastery.

Steven Miller, of Norton Priory Museum Trust, said: 'Works such as Michelangelo's David quite rightly have a special place in history. St Christopher's statue shows that British medieval artists were also just as creative. Yet the statue is little known outside of the North West. Here is an opportunity to recreate some of the excitement and awe that this unique piece deserves.'

The museum trust is using latest IT technology to clothe St Christopher in the colours he would have enjoyed at the beginning of his story.

Steven explained: 'We know from scientific analysis of fragments of paint found on the statue that, when he was created, he would have been a dazzling sight. This project helps people to understand just what an amazing and beautiful sight it would have been, what a wonderful treasure we have.'

Grant Bage, learning director at NESTA, said: 'This is a really interesting fusion of modern technology and ancient history and one which will no doubt inspire both audiences and other museums.

'By investing in this work on the St Christopher statue, NESTA is supporting new ways of engaging audiences and breathing life into existing exhibits. This can only be a good thing for the continued and enhanced richness of the UK cultural economy.'

From one high-powered laser scan of the statue, the trust aims to create three interactive activities to inspire and engage visitors.

A team from the Conservation Centre at National Museums Liverpool is also working on the project and will be documenting it from start to finish.